(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)
Artist: Colter Wall
When: September 16th, 2018
Where: CityFolk Festival, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Context: Ottawa’s CityFolk festival wrapped up for another year just a couple of days ago. It’s been six years since I’ve attended any of its shows and seven since I bought a full festival pass but this year’s lineup was so impressive I definitely would have pulled the trigger on one had I been able to attend. Much like its sister festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, CityFolk* has allowed me to see a litany of great acts over the years. Back in 2018, I hadn’t yet heard of Colter Wall, a Saskatchewan born country/folk singer/songwriter, but I made sure to catch his set based on a recommendation from my youngest sibling Emma. Wall blew into town with his touring band**, the self-proclaimed “Scary Prairie Boys”, and breathed a whole different life into a selection of tunes from his first two records. Wall was but twenty-three years old at the time but his deep gruff baritone made him sound thrice that age. And man, was it something powerful live. Even if you’re not a fan of dust and tumbleweed old country, I’d recommend giving Colter Wall a go. He blew the doors off everyone who showed up early for his set and I ended up buying both of his first records on vinyl soon after.
Point of reference song: “Wild Bill Hickok”
*Previously known as Ottawa Folk Festival.
**Seven years ago tonight.
My (life in) music lists 